U.S. patent application number 11/113555 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-09 for inflatable airbag system for vehicle seat assembly.
Invention is credited to Dirk Benthaus, Harald Fischer, Andreas Kellner.
Application Number | 20060250000 11/113555 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36580880 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060250000 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fischer; Harald ; et
al. |
November 9, 2006 |
Inflatable airbag system for vehicle seat assembly
Abstract
An inflatable airbag system for a vehicle seat assembly of a
vehicle. The inflatable airbag system includes a cover member
adapted for mounting to the vehicle seat assembly. The inflatable
airbag system also includes an inflatable airbag adapted to inflate
outward from the cover member and outward from the vehicle seat
assembly to thereby act as a protective barrier between an occupant
of the vehicle seat assembly and an interior surface of the
vehicle.
Inventors: |
Fischer; Harald;
(Unterensingen, DE) ; Benthaus; Dirk; (Verl,
DE) ; Kellner; Andreas; (Gaertringen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEAR CORPORATION, BLISS MCGLYNN, P.C.
2075 WEST BIG BEAVER ROAD
SUITE 600
TROY
MI
48084
US
|
Family ID: |
36580880 |
Appl. No.: |
11/113555 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/216.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/06 20130101; B60R
21/207 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/216.1 |
International
Class: |
B60N 2/42 20060101
B60N002/42 |
Claims
1. An inflatable airbag system for a vehicle seat assembly of a
vehicle comprising: a cover member adapted for mounting to the
vehicle seat assembly; and an inflatable airbag adapted to inflate
outward from said cover member and outward from the vehicle seat
assembly to thereby act as a protective barrier between an occupant
of the vehicle seat assembly and an interior surface of the
vehicle.
2. An inflatable airbag system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
vehicle seat assembly includes a seat pan, and wherein said cover
member is disposed below the seat pan.
3. An inflatable airbag system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
vehicle seat assembly includes a seat pan, and said cover member is
adapted for mounting to the seat pan.
4. An inflatable airbag system as set forth in claim 3 wherein the
seat pan includes an opening, and wherein said inflatable airbag is
adapted to inflate through the opening of the seat pan.
5. An inflatable airbag system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
vehicle seat assembly includes a lower seat cushion, and wherein
said inflatable airbag is adapted to inflate outward from the lower
seat cushion.
6. An inflatable airbag system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
vehicle seat assembly includes a trim piece at least partially
covering the vehicle seat assembly, and wherein said inflatable
airbag is adapted to inflate outward from the trim piece.
7. An inflatable airbag system as set forth in claim 1 further
comprising an inflator operatively supported by said cover member
and operable to inflate said inflatable airbag.
8. A vehicle seat assembly for a vehicle comprising: a lower seat
assembly adapted to support an occupant; and an inflatable airbag
system with an inflatable airbag operatively supported by said
lower seat assembly, said inflatable airbag adapted to inflate
outward from said lower seat assembly to act as a protective
barrier between the occupant and an interior surface of the
vehicle.
9. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said
lower seat assembly includes a seat pan and wherein said inflatable
airbag system includes a cover member adapted for stowing said
inflatable airbag therein, said cover member disposed below said
seat pan.
10. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said
lower seat assembly includes a seat pan and said inflatable airbag
system includes a cover member adapted for stowing said inflatable
airbag therein, said cover member supported by said seat pan.
11. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said
lower seat assembly includes a seat pan with an opening, and
wherein said inflatable airbag is adapted to inflate through said
opening of said seat pan.
12. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said
opening of said seat pan has a periphery adapted to direct
inflation of said inflatable airbag in a predetermined direction
outward from said lower seat assembly.
13. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said
lower seat assembly further includes a lower seat cushion, and
wherein said inflatable airbag is adapted to inflate outward from
the lower seat cushion.
14. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said
lower seat cushion includes an aperture, and wherein said
inflatable airbag is adapted to inflate through said aperture of
said lower seat cushion.
15. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said
lower seat assembly further includes a trim piece at least
partially covering said vehicle seat assembly, and wherein said
inflatable airbag is adapted to inflate outward from said trim
piece.
16. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said
trim piece includes a seam, and wherein said inflatable airbag is
adapted to inflate through said seam.
17. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 9 further
comprising an inflator operatively supported by said cover member
and operable to inflate said inflatable airbag.
18. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said
vehicle seat assembly defines a side, and said inflatable airbag is
adapted to inflate outward from said side of said vehicle seat
assembly.
19. A vehicle seat assembly for a vehicle comprising: a lower seat
assembly adapted to support an occupant and including a seat pan, a
lower seat cushion supported by said seat pan, and a trim piece at
least partially covering said lower seat cushion; and an inflatable
airbag system including an inflatable airbag adapted to inflate
outward from said seat pan, said lower seat cushion, and said trim
piece to act as a protective barrier between the occupant and an
interior surface of the vehicle.
20. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein said
inflatable airbag system includes a cover member adapted for
stowing said inflatable airbag therein, said cover member supported
by and disposed below said seat pan.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates, generally, to inflatable
airbags, and more specifically to an inflatable airbag system for a
vehicle seat assembly.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Automotive vehicles employ seating systems that accommodate
the passengers of the vehicle. The seating systems include
restraint systems that are calculated to restrain and protect the
occupants in the event of a collision. The primary restraint system
commonly employed in most vehicles today is the seatbelt. Seatbelts
usually include a lap belt and a shoulder belt extending diagonally
across the occupant's torso from one end of the lap belt to a
mounting structure located proximate to the occupant's opposite
shoulder.
[0005] In addition, automotive vehicles may include supplemental
restraint systems. The most common supplemental restraint system
employed in automotive vehicles today is the inflatable airbag. In
the event of a collision, the airbags are deployed as an additional
means of restraining and protecting the occupants of the
vehicle.
[0006] Although airbag systems have worked for their intended
purpose, some disadvantages remain. For instance, stowed airbag
systems can take up significant room within the vehicle. Thus,
designing adequate space for stowing an airbag system within the
vehicle can be difficult.
[0007] Furthermore, the operating life of airbag systems can be
limited by exposure to contaminants, loading, and the like. For
instance, door-mounted airbag systems can be particularly
susceptible to contamination because the airbag system in effect
moves outside the vehicle when the door is opened. Slamming the
vehicle door can also impart harmful loads on these door-mounted
airbag systems.
[0008] Moreover, airbag systems can include expensive components.
For instance, many airbag systems include a cover member in which
the inflatable airbag is stowed. When the airbag inflates for
deployment out of the cover member, the airbag transfers
significant force to the cover member. The cover member is
typically designed to withstand these forces and remain intact to
thereby direct the inflating airbag in the predetermined direction.
In order to withstand these forces, the cover member is made out of
relatively expensive material, which is undesirable.
[0009] Therefore, there remains a need in the art for an airbag
system that can be conveniently and compactly stowed within a
vehicle. There also remains a need in the art for an airbag system
that is less susceptible to contamination so as to improve the
operating life of the airbag system. Furthermore, there remains a
need in the art for an airbag system that includes less expensive
components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The disadvantages of the related art are overcome in an
inflatable airbag system for a vehicle seat assembly of a vehicle.
The inflatable airbag system includes a cover member adapted for
mounting to the vehicle seat assembly. The inflatable airbag system
also includes an inflatable airbag adapted to inflate outward from
the cover member and outward from the vehicle seat assembly to
thereby act as a protective barrier between an occupant of the
vehicle seat assembly and an interior surface of the vehicle.
[0011] The inflatable airbag system can be compactly stowed within
the vehicle and can provide improved restraint of an occupant. Also
the inflatable airbag system can have reduced material costs.
Furthermore, the inflatable airbag system can utilize the seat
assembly as a barrier from potentially contaminating materials to
thereby extend the operating life of the system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Other advantages of the invention will be readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of
a vehicle seat assembly illustrating a lower seat assembly and an
inflatable airbag system of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the vehicle seat
assembly and inflatable airbag system of FIG. 1; and
[0015] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the vehicle seat
assembly and inflatable airbag system of FIGS. 1 and 2 shown in
relation to an occupant and to a vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0016] Referring now to the drawings, where like numerals are used
to designate like structure throughout the figures, one embodiment
of a vehicle seat assembly of the present invention is generally
indicated at 10 in FIGS. 1-3. The vehicle seat assembly 10 can be
disposed within a vehicle 12 (partially illustrated in phantom in
FIG. 3) such as an automobile, but those having ordinary skill in
the art will appreciate that the vehicle seat assembly 10 could be
disposed within any suitable vehicle 12 without departing from the
scope of the invention. The vehicle seat assembly 10 is adapted to
support an occupant partially illustrated in phantom at 14 in FIG.
3. The vehicle seat assembly 10 includes a seat back 16 and a lower
seat assembly 18 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The lower seat assembly
18 defines a front end 24, a rear end 26, an inboard side 28, and
an outboard side 30. The seat back 16 is operatively attached to
the lower seat assembly 18 at the rear end 26. The lower seat
assembly 18 is mounted to the vehicle 12 via a support structure
indicated generally at 32. The support structure 32 can include
rails 34 used to adjust the position of the vehicle seat assembly
10 relative to the vehicle 12. The support structure 32 can also
include adjustment mechanisms (not shown) operable to adjust the
vertical position of the vehicle seat assembly and/or the tilt of
the vehicle seat assembly 10 relative to the vehicle 12.
[0017] The vehicle seat assembly 10 also includes an inflatable
airbag system 20 of the present invention. The inflatable airbag
system 20 is operatively mounted to the vehicle seat assembly 10
and includes an inflatable airbag 22. The inflatable airbag 22 is
adapted to inflate outward from the vehicle seat assembly 10 to
thereby act as a protective barrier between the occupant 14 and the
vehicle 12 as will be described in greater detail below.
[0018] In the embodiment shown, the lower seat assembly 18 includes
a seat pan 36, a lower seat cushion 38 supported by the seat pan
36, and a trim piece 40 at least partially covering the lower seat
cushion 38 (FIG. 1). The seat pan 36 is substantially flat and
rigid to adequately support the occupant 14. The lower seat cushion
38 can be made of a substantially soft and pliable material such as
foam to lend cushioned support to the occupant 14. The trim piece
40 can be made of a wear-resistant material such as leather or
fabric to provide a wear-resistant and comfortable surface for the
occupant 14 to sit upon. As shown in FIG. 3, the lower seat
assembly 18 defines a top side 42 upon which the occupant 14 sits.
The lower seat assembly 18 also defines a bottom area 44 where the
support structure 32 is disposed.
[0019] The inflatable airbag system 20 includes a cover member 46
adapted for stowing the inflatable airbag 22 therein. The
inflatable airbag 22 is adapted to inflate outward from the cover
member 46 and outward from the vehicle seat assembly 10 as will be
described in greater detail below.
[0020] The inflatable airbag system 20 also includes an inflator 50
shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2. The inflator 50 is operable
to inflate the inflatable airbag 22. The inflator 50 can be one of
any suitable device such as a gas-discharging inflator 50. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the inflator 50 is operatively
supported by the cover member 46.
[0021] The inflatable airbag system 20 further includes at least
one sensor 52 schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The
sensor 52 is operable to detect a triggering event such as a
vehicular collision. The sensor 52 can be one of any one of a known
type suitable to detect a triggering event. Also, the inflatable
airbag system 20 includes a controller 54 shown schematically in
FIGS. 1 and 2. The controller 54 is in communication with the
sensor 52 and the inflator 50.
[0022] In operation, when the sensor 52 detects a triggering event,
the sensor 52 sends a signal to the controller 54, and upon
receiving that signal, the controller 54 sends an inflate signal to
the inflator 50. The inflator 50 then inflates the inflatable
airbag 22 outward from the cover member 46.
[0023] In the embodiment shown, the inflatable airbag 22 is
operatively supported by the cover member 46, and the cover member
46 is adapted for mounting to the vehicle seat assembly 10. In the
embodiment shown, the cover member 46 is supported by the seat pan
36 of the lower seat assembly 18 such that the inflatable airbag 22
is operatively supported by the lower seat assembly 18. The cover
member 46 can be attached to the seat pan 36 in any suitable means
such as fasteners, adhesives, or the like. However, those having
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the cover member 46,
and thus the inflatable airbag 22, could be supported by any
suitable structure within the lower seat assembly 18.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover member 46 is disposed
below the seat pan 36 such that the inflatable airbag 22 is also
disposed below the seat pan 36 when stowed. The seat pan 36
includes an opening 56 such as a slot, and the inflatable airbag 22
is adapted to inflate through the opening 56 of the seat pan 36 as
best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Also, the lower seat cushion 38
includes an aperture 60 such as a slit as shown in FIG. 1. The
inflatable airbag 22 is adapted to inflate through the aperture 60
of the lower seat cushion 38 and outward from the lower seat
cushion 38. Furthermore, the trim piece 40 includes a seam 62 as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The inflatable airbag 22 is adapted to
inflate through the seam 62 and outward from the trim piece 40.
[0025] As such, the inflatable airbag 22 is adapted to inflate
outward from the seat pan 36 through the opening 56, outward from
the lower seat cushion 38 through the aperture 60, and outward from
the trim piece 40 through the seam 62. Those having ordinary skill
in the art will appreciate however, that the inflatable airbag 22
could inflate in any manner outward from the vehicle seat assembly
10 without moving through the seat pan 36, the lower seat cushion
38, and/or the trim piece 40. For instance, the inflatable airbag
22 could inflate along a side of the seat pan 36, displace the
lower seat cushion 38, and/or displace the trim piece 40 without
departing from the scope of the invention.
[0026] In the embodiment shown, the opening 56, the aperture 60,
and the seam 62, are each disposed adjacent the outboard side 30 of
the vehicle seat assembly 10, and the inflatable airbag is adapted
to inflate outward from the outboard side 30 of the vehicle seat
assembly 10. In one embodiment, the opening 56 in the seat pan 36
has a periphery 58 (FIGS. 1 and 2) adapted to direct inflation of
the inflatable airbag 22 in a predetermined direction outward from
the lower seat assembly 18. For instance, the periphery 58 of the
opening 56 imparts force on the inflatable airbag 22 as it inflates
to direct the inflatable airbag 22 toward the outboard side 30 of
the vehicle seat assembly 10. Thus, as best shown in FIG. 3, the
inflatable airbag 22 is directed toward a door 64 of the vehicle
12. As such, the inflatable airbag 22 acts as a protective barrier
between the legs 66 of the occupant 14 and the door 64 of the
vehicle 12 for improved restraint of the occupant 14.
[0027] Thus, the inflatable airbag system 20 can be compactly
stowed within the vehicle 12 and can provide improved restraint of
the occupant 14. By incorporating the inflatable airbag system 20
into the vehicle seat assembly 10, material costs can be reduced.
For instance, the seat pan 36 can have high structural strength,
and as such, the seat pan 36 can withstand the high energy pulse
occurring when the inflatable airbag 22 inflates, thereby reducing
the need for a high strength, high cost cover member 46. Also, the
inflatable airbag system 20 utilizes the seat pan 36 as a barrier
from potentially contaminating materials to thereby extend the
operating life of the system 20.
[0028] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner.
It is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is
intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of
limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are
possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the
scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other
than as specifically described.
* * * * *